Kyoto Visa Application] How to Become a Company Accepting Specified Skills? All procedures from application to employment of foreigners and points to note

Japan is facing a serious shortage of labor,specific skillis an important means of securing foreign nationals who are ready to work immediately. However, many companies may be puzzled by the requirements they must meet and the complexity of the procedures. This column provides information for companies that are considering accepting foreign nationals with specified skills,Requirements for specific skills,Application ProcedureandAssistance that Gyoseishoshi Lawyers can provideThis section provides an easy-to-understand explanation of the

  Video.explanation

Checklist of requirements to become a "company accepting" specified skills

The main requirements to be fulfilled by the receiving organization (organization with specific skills affiliation) areAdequacy of employment contractsand "Eligibility of the company itselfThe two main categories are

A. Requirements for Employment Contracts (Details of Contracts with Foreign Nationals)

Item	What we are looking for
Equivalence of remuneration	The amount of compensation (all base salary, benefits, bonuses, retirement, etc.),Equivalent to or better than Japanese nationals engaged in equivalent work(2) The company shall be
Prohibition of discriminatory treatment	Do not discriminate in compensation or treatment (education and training, benefits) on the basis of being a foreigner.
prescribed working hours	The prescribed working hours must be the same as those of regular Japanese employees.
temporary return to one's country	If a foreigner wishes to return home temporarily, the requiredleave(2) To have the company obtain a
Coverage of travel expenses to return home	If the foreigner is unable to bear the travel expenses to return home,Paid by the host institutionTo be.
No security deposits or penalties	From foreigners and their relatives.deposit (esp. on renting a house)or collects unreasonablepenalty for contract breach(2) Not to enter into a contract that provides for the

B. Requirements for eligibility of firms (receiving institutions)

Item	What we are looking for
compliance (with laws and ordinances)	Labor, social insurance, and taxes(2) All laws and regulations related to the
ground for disqualification	a past (i.e. a personal history)Within 5 years(2) The applicant must not have any violations (fines or more) related to immigration, labor, or other laws and regulations.
involuntary separation from employment	Within 1 yearto the specified skilled foreign nationals andSame type of businessJapanese nationals working for the company for their own reasons.Involuntary separation from employmentDo not let them.
Unaccounted for missing persons	Within 1 yearTo,Responsibility of the receiving institution(2) No missing foreign nationals (including technical intern trainees, etc.) have occurred in
support system	Languages understood by foreign personnelThe company must have a system in place to provide support in the following areas (if the company provides its own support).

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2. specific details of "obligatory support" owed by the company (10 items)

To ensure that foreign nationals with specific skills can lead a stable life in Japan, the accepting organization mustsupport planThe company is obligated to formulate and implement a Will this support be provided in-house?Outsourced to a registered support organizationYou can do this.

support item	Examples of specific implementation details
1. advance guidance	After the employment contract is signed and prior to entry into the country, the working conditions, activities, cost sharing, and whether or not a security deposit will be collected are explained in person or via videoconference.
2. transportation to and from the port of entry and departure	time of entryTransportation from airports, etc., to and from the business or residence.when returning home: Pick up and accompany the passenger to the security checkpoint at the airport.
3. support for securing housing and contracts	Provide company housing or assist in finding rental housing (guarantor support, referrals to real estate agents, etc.), bank accounts, cell phones, lifelines (electricity, gas, etc.)Assist with contracting proceduresDo.
Orientation for daily life	Japanese traffic rules, manner of living, and use of public facilities,Separating Garbageand medical facilities,Disaster Prevention and ResponseExplain such things as
(5) Accompanying the client to public proceedings, etc.	As needed,Place of residence (resident registration)Accompany the client to government offices and assist in the preparation of documents for social security, tax, and other procedures.
6. providing opportunities to learn Japanese	Provide information on Japanese language classes held by Japanese language classes and volunteer groups, information on Japanese language learning materials, etc.
7. response to consultations and complaints	Languages understood by foreignersto establish a contact point to immediately respond to consultations and complaints at the workplace and in daily life, and to provide necessary advice and guidance.
8. promoting exchanges with Japanese people	Provide information and support for participation in community association activities, local events, festivals, recreational activities, and other venues and opportunities that promote interaction with local residents and Japanese employees.
9. job transfer assistance (for the convenience of the company)	When the employment contract is terminated for the host's own reasons,Assistance in finding a new joband letters of recommendation, granting paid leave for job search, and providing information on necessary administrative procedures.
10. periodic interviews and reporting	The foreign national himself/herself and his/her supervisor, respectively.At least once every 3 monthsThe company will conduct in-person interviews to check the working and living conditions. If any violation of laws and regulations or inadequate support is found, it will be reported to administrative agencies.

Acceptance of specific skills is subject to these requirements and mandatory support.Continuous performanceThe applicant must prove to the immigration authorities that he or she has a system in place to do so. The procedure is complicated and highly specialized,Use of administrative scriveners and registered support organizationsis common.

Acceptable specific industry sectors

Acceptance of specified skilled foreign nationals is permitted for the following12 FieldsIt is limited to industries where labor shortages are particularly severe, such as (based on information as of 2024)

• Nursing care, construction, agriculture, fishing, food and beverage manufacturing, food service, etc.

System requirements that companies must meet: support system and compliance requirements

The receiving company must provide the mandated "support" to the hired foreign nationals with specified skills.

• To enable foreigners to live and work smoothly in Japan,Providing opportunities to learn Japanese.Conducting orientation for daily lifeis obligatory.
• If a company provides its own support, it is required to appoint a "person in charge of specific skills" who has knowledge of the specific skills.

Specific Steps to Hiring a Specified Skilled Foreigner

The procedure for hiring a foreign national with specified skills is based on the following three steps.

1. Step 1: Sign an employment contract
   • The contract must be at least the same amount of compensation and working hours as the Japanese.
2. Step 2: Create a support plan
   • We will prepare a plan to support the entry and living of foreign nationals.
3. Step 3: Application for status of residence (change/recognition)
   • If you are bringing in a foreigner, you will apply for "accreditation"; if you are already in Japan, you will apply for "modification".

Important: Use of registered support organizations and the role of administrative scriveners

If it is difficult for the host company to provide support on its own, it can outsource all support services to a "registered support organization".

Support mandated for registered support organizations

• Guidance on daily life before entering Japan (pre-orientation)
• Transportation to and from the airport and housing
• Accompanying procedures to public institutions and providing opportunities to learn Japanese
• Responding to consultations and complaints

Consistent support that the Gyoseishoshi Law Office can provide as a support organization

The firm has a specific skill set ofStatus of Residence ApplicationandRegistered Support AgenciesSupport services as aone-stop serviceThe service can be provided at Companies can avoid the hassle of consulting with multiple contact points and can proceed with the hiring of foreign nationals in full compliance with laws and regulations.

Precautions to avoid failure of application for specific skills

The system of specific skills is still new, and there are a wide variety of legal compliance requirements.

• Plan for transition from specific skills #1 to #2: In order to secure long-term human resources, it is important to present a career path with a view to transitioning to No. 2 (which will open the way for permanent residency).

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For companies that are having trouble accepting specified skills

The system of specified technical skills is complex, and if even one requirement is lacking, there is a risk of non-permission or administrative guidance. We support your company in establishing a system for smoothly accepting and retaining foreign nationals with the specified skills for a long period of time.